THE FAMILY PARTY
www.familyparty.org.nz

PRESS STATEMENT FOR RELEASE

27 September 08

EMBARGOED TILL 10:30AM
 

10 Policy Priorities: The Family Party
Sat 27th September 10am – 2pm

Metro Theatre, 351 Massey Rd, Mangere

TOP TEN POLICY PRIORITIES
 

Party Leader Richard Lewis will announce the following policies as the Family Party priorities for the 2008 General Election.  

1.      MARRIAGE: To constitutionally strengthen the traditional family unit, we will protect the institution of marriage by legally defining it as being exclusively between one man and one woman, voluntarily entered into for life.

2.      REPEAL THE ANTI SMACKING LAW: We will fix the flawed smacking law by reinstating section 59 of the Crimes Act to protect decent, law-abiding parents who responsibly smack their children.
 

3.      REPEAL THE PROSTITUTION LAW REFORM ACT: We will repeal the Prostitution Law Reform Act to address underage, street, police and teacher prostitution. Moreover, this will enable us to remove the cover of brothels for organised crime.

4.      REPEAL THE ELECTORAL FINANCE ACT: We will repeal the Electoral Finance Act to preserve open, fair and free democracy: a law that has muzzled free speech and capped our candidates election spending at $60 dollars per day while the political incumbents indulge in parliaments resources.

5.      REPEAL THE EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME: We care deeply about our environment at home and particularly throughout the Pacific. However, we will repeal the hugely costly Emissions Trading Scheme in its entirety and seek a Royal Commission of Enquiry into the whole issue of global warming and what response, if any, is reasonable in our unique circumstances. To that end, we look forward to Samuel Dennis’ speech on this issue later today. (Approx 1:30pm)

6.      HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES AFFORDIBILITY: [In addition to favouring a lower and flatter tax structure to keep more money in the home], in order to alleviate financial pressures on all New Zealand families we will seek to remove GST off basic food groups, infant and elderly necessities, rates, household energy and the excise duty on fuel. We introduced this policy back in May and are glad to see the Maori Party adopt it as well as a petition created around it.

7.      RIGHT TO LIFE & ENSURING PARENTAL NOTIFICATION: In pursuit of the right to life for the unborn child, we will demand an urgent and thorough review of the practice and procedure around abortions to ensure they comply with Parliament’s original intent (The Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion Act). In addition, we will require parents to be notified and duly consulted in the event of a child pregnancy. 

8.      URGENTLY BOLSTER THE FRONTLINES: We will give urgent priority towards boosting frontline police numbers and resources, coupled with a strategy to target gangs, drug dealing and organised crime (As outlined in previous conference speech May 2008) In addition, we will review the feasibility of separating traditional policing from traffic enforcement.

9.      HARSHER SENTENCING: Restoring confidence in our justice system is of utmost importance. We will support harsher sentencing for violent crimes and drug dealing, and stricter conditions around bail and parole.

10.  PROTECT NEW ZEALAND'S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE: In keeping with New Zealand’s parliamentary prayer and established Christian-based constitutional arrangements, the Family Party will protect our Christian heritage for the benefit of future generations.  Moreover, we will measure policy and legislation against our Christian founding values and the interests of New Zealand families.

Running parallel to these priorities will be a thorough review of historical legislative and political changes that have detrimentally impacted on New Zealand families. Our aim is to restore a marriage culture and build towards strong, enduring intergenerational families.

For more detail on Family Party policies visit www.familyparty.org.nz

ENDS

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